That’s a question Pawnee Heights patrons asked themselves when the Tigers resurrected the high school football program after five years.
In one fall season, the Tigers’ young men showed Rozel and the surrounding Pawnee County communities why football is so important.
There are life lessons to be learned by playing football.
For young men, there is no better way to appreciate the hard knocks of life than football.
You get knocked down — and you get back up.
Some of those lessons are painful — some players get treated better and life is unfair at times.
But most of those lessons are valuable.
Players learn to work together and sacrifice for a team goal. When someone can’t do their job, someone else steps up.
A school district’s lifeblood is school activities — whether it’s a band, debate team or a football team.
A successful football team energizes everyone. Every Tiger discovered goals that are possible they didn’t even think about two months ago.
Pawnee Heights coach Jeff Chambers worked his magic in a few months because he saw something special. That magic was ignited last spring when the Tigers were one play away from a momumental upset of Hutchinson Central Christian during the basketball season.
Chambers helped the Tigers avenge a 32-point loss to Golden Plains and they nearly upset Weskan in a 36-18 loss in the Six-Man State Championship at Dodge City Saturday.
What the Tigers nearly accomplished against unbeaten Weskan was amazing. The Coyotes featured two of the best players and a dazzling offensive game plan.
They showed extra effort and determination. One extra-effort run was rewarded with a touchdown. Another extra effort was inches shy of a first down. Penalties hurt the Tigers.
But they kept battling.
A couple of plays deserve mention.
Tiger Caleb Karst is simply a magician. On one interception, he tipped the football with one hand, and somehow caught the ball that was suspended in air. On one reception, he somehow caught a floating pass and tapped one foot inbounds.
Did I mention that Karst, who snaps the football at center, is an eligible receiver?
Quarterback Ryan Klenke landed on his head when he was flipped over by Weskan’s Greg Kuykendall on a touchdown run.
Klenke got knocked down — but he got back up.
When it became apparent the Tigers were going to lose to Weskan, it didn’t matter. They stopped the Coyotes on their three best defensive plays of the game.
The Pawnee Heights USD 496 administration and school board saw the void created when a high school doesn’t feature a football program.
There are no Friday Night Lights, no halftime Tiger band.
The Tigers’ football program was knocked down — but it got back up.
Fans from everywhere showed up for the Tigers’ playoff games. Chambers had friends he didn’t even know.
Tiger seniors Ryan Klenke, Roger Klenke and Spencer VanMeter will be missed. But the Tigers return Caleb Karst, Dalton Hamby, Trace Baker, Kade Scott, Gabe Oddo, Jackson Henbest and Kale McCoy.
Next year, God willing, the Tigers will be proudly holding a Six-Man state championship trophy.

Jim Misunas